Devotees of the Yotunn

The Devotees of the Yotunn is one of the oldest religions in Valeron and shares a lot of basic similarities with the Chalk deities suggesting it was the foundation of the prolific Srefsian religion. It is the state religion of the Kingdom of Nozu, and the primary focus of the current religious civil war between Nozu and Humenia.

Organizational Structure

All cities within the Kingdom of Nozu have a shrine dedicated to their patron god, and at least one Shrinekeeper to maintain and guide prayer. Slightly larger cities might fund larger shrines and house a pair of Templars with a Priest, and larger or important cities fund Temples with an Exarch Priest, Acolytes, and a Templar General. The capital Nozu holds the Grand Temple which is considered the oldest temple that Yotunnas have built and houses both the Templar Commandant and the High Priest.

High Priest

An appointment by the Monarch, the High Priest is considered the highest ranking official of the Yotunn and the most direct access to the gods of Yotunn. Typically the High Priest is very educated in the teachings and stories of the gods, and holds a deep understanding of godly motivations. Their day to day is often consumed with the management of the Grand Temple and the various Temples devoted to the Yotunn. A lot of variance can occur in the effectiveness or goals of the High Priest as royal appointment can often be decided simply by loyalty and is therefore susceptible to corruption. Their appointment is for life, but can be revoked by royal decree. The High Priest has the ability to dictate new practices or outlaw previous ones. While officially the Grand Temple is a place of worship for all the gods of Yotunn, they are within their powers to erect specific monuments, sacrifice decrees, or establish dogma for specific gods both within the Grand Temple and all other Temples in the Kingdom. The High Priest also guards the Manuscript, which is a list of all active Shrinekeepers, Priests, and Acolytes (Priests in training, usually previously Shrinekeepers) in the realm as well as approving recommendations for new Priests. In times of emergency, the High Priest can collect the Ledger, which holds the names of all the Templars and Neophytes (Templars in training.) Emergency powers also allow the High Priest to direct the Templar Commandant, effectively making the High Priest the chief military arm of the Yotunnas. A declaration of emergency can be vetoed by the sitting monarch or regent of the Kingdom of Nozu.

Templar Commandant

The direct leader of all Templars, the Templar Commandant is the acting general of all Yotunna forces unless an emergency is declared, but even then is in charge of organization, planning, and logistic management of the Templars. The Templar is selected by vote of all High Officers of the Templars, and this vote can only be vetoed by mutual agreement between the High Priest and monarch of the Kingdom of Nozu. While officially second to the High Priest, the Templar Commandant is usually seen as equal in political power to the High Priest. Their primary day-to-day concerns lie with equipment requisitions, overseeing training, and selecting and approving new Temple sites. They can also decide on how many pairs of Templars will reside within any given Temple. They also enforce new practices and forbidden old ones as directed by the High Priest, however the level of enforcement depends on the Templar Commandant's command which can mean the High Priest has enacted a law that is not being enforced by Templars. Their main political power is the ability to hold Tribunal, in which they decide on religious disputes such as heresy, sins, and any other threats to the Yotunn. While Commandants can not personally charge an individual, they can call witness and evidence even though they are the judge of such trials, and all must heed the Commandants call. Once a Commandant has declared a sentence, there is no law which can interfere with it being carried out, and no limit to the scope of possible sentencing. Once a sentence has been declared, the Tribunal is concluded. They guard the Ledger, holding the names and locations of all the Templars and Neophytes.

Priests

Officially, all Priests are of an equal rank, but priests are considered more prestigious if they reside in larger more notable cities, and their specific job within the temples carries different political weight. There are three basic tiers of priests within a Temple.

Exarch Priest

The director of a temple, the Exarch Priest is the primary channel of communication with the High Priest, and creates reports and complaints to the High Priest. This means that all Priests of a temple report to the Exarch Priest who in turn reports to the High Priest. This also means that any recommendations of promotions from Acolyte to Priest is forwarded by the Exarch, who in turn has a higher weight to their own recommendations. They also receive direction and guidance from the High Priest to forward to the other Priests. There is only one Exarch Priest of a temple with the exception of the Grand Temple, who has the High Priest and a separate Exarch Priest with the latter being a ceremonial title traditionally tasked with smaller management of the Grand Temple and its Priests.

Priest of Duty

The Priest of Duty is the most common Priest of the Yotunn, with their number being between two per temple (for smaller newer temples) up to around 130 in the Grand Temple. They reside within the temple and are charged with the guidance of worship, sacrifice, and maintenance of the Temple, as well as training and supervision of the Acolytes. Priests are appointed only by the High Priest through recommendation of any Priest in their temple. The Exarch often delegates specific tasks to Priests of Duty, however a Priest of Duty is capable of refusing designations or assignments as well as choosing one of their own. The Exarch can appeal to the High Priest to override these decisions (among other less official methods) but their official rank does not fall under the Exarch. Usually when a Priest of Duty holds a specific and longterm assignment, they append their name with a moniker to indicate their charge. For example, there is often a Priest of Prayer in every temple who leads civilian worship to the gods and speaks to the common folk. A Priest of Duty may also be particularly devoted to a god and take up their name. For example, the Grand Temple has at least one Priest of Duty per major Yotunn god, most notably the Priest of Akkar.

Acolyte

An Acolyte is simply a Priest in training, and are chosen by any Priest in the temple where they will begin their training. Traditionally, there are at least ten Acolytes per temple, but there can be any number of them depending on the temple. Since they are housed within the temple, the size of the Acolyte class largely depends on the monetary stability of the temple. Acolytes are charged with maintenence, charity, and various chores within the temple when not taking to their studies and therefore are the main workforce of any temple. Most of all Priests were once Acolytes, with the exception of newly founded Temples who elevate the local Shrinekeeper to a Priest of Duty while an Exarch is named from a nearby Temple. Shrinekeepers can also choose to travel to their closest temple to be trained as an Acolyte and subsequently a Priest which helps their claim for a new Temple in their home community. Acolytes are the only Priest class which can be drafted by Templars in times of emergency as levies or to be trained as Neophytes without interference of the Priests of Duty

Templars

Templars are the military arm of the Yotunnas, and often are the only force defending communities from internal or external threats. They reside in a special barracks building near a temple with the exception of the Templar General who resides in the Temple itself. Templars have a military structure similar to armies, but are not limited to direction from royalty and in fact supercede them. Highly trained and specifically picked for being zealous and loyal, Templars are all elite fighters for the Yotunna.

Templar General

This Templar is the local leader of both law enforcement and the military, typically a veteran of the Templar organization. Voted into command through a ballot between the High Officers in the local temple, the Templar General resides within the Temple alongside the Priests and stands guard during important ceremonies. Their command is only superseded by the Templar Commandant, which means they also must negotiate jurisdictions in cases where two Temples reside close enough for that to be an issue. This does not often occur, and Templar Generals generally spend most of their time with the enforcement of law and order. For small cases, they rule on punishment using the High Officers as advisors but not requiring their approval. A Templar General can be removed from office through a supermajority vote between the High Officers or a command from the Templar Commandant. Technically the Templar Commandant can veto this removal, but this is not typically done as it is considered a local matter. As the number of High Officers can vary from temple to temple, this vote to remove a Templar General can vary wildly in simplicity.

High Officers

High Officers is a colloquial term referring to all Templars appointed a rank above Captain. Each increase in rank was determined by the number of assigned Templars to a Temple, and therefore the number of High Officers can vary based on how many Templars the Templar Commandant assigns to a Temple. Each position is appointed by the rank above it, up to the Brigadier (if applicable) who is assigned by the Templar General. The amount and ranks of High Officers is highly dependant on the number of Templars as well, so it is possible for a Temple to only have a Templar General and two Major Captain Templars. Politically speaking, all High Officers are considered equal in voting power and Tribunal, but each rank signifies an increase of pay and prestige, as well as recognition of duty and prowess. They are also housed in a larger and finer barracks with individual rooms from the rest of the Templars. They are also allowed to secure their own lodging. The ranks are ordered as follows:

1. Brigadier Templar - The highest possible rank below the Templar General. Appointed by them personally, this rank exists when there are two Templar Colonels. There can be any number of Brigadier Templars and subsequently the lower ranks
2. Templar Colonel - This rank exists when there are two Lieutenant Templars.
3. Lieutenant Templar - This rank exists when there are three Major Captain Templars.
4. Major Captain Templar - This rank exists when there are six Captain Templars, and one is chosen (if there are multiple) to train Neophytes

Captain Templars

Sometimes referred to as Low Officers, Captains are the platoon leaders of the Templars and are appointed by their Major Captain Templars. A Captain is appointed to oversee and lead 10 Templar Regulars (most commonly just referred to as Templars) meaning for there to be at least one Brigadier Templar a Temple must be host to a grand total of 406 Templars including all ranks, making the full complement not very common. New Temples are required to have at least 6 Captains, and therefore the minimum starting Templar presence is 68. Captain Templars reside with their platoon in the regular barracks.

Templar Regulars

After graduating from being a Neophyte, Templar Regulars begin service in the least populous platoon. Captains can "trade" Templar Regulars between platoons, allowing for specialized units being formed, as well as reject units since both Captains have to agree to the trade. Templar Regulars are subject to all orders from their Captains and higher ranks, and are otherwise not given much freedom, but are guaranteed meals and housing for as long as they live. They can be retired when considered unfit to fulfill their duties, but this does not always include combat or athletic ability as some Templars have taken up special tasks. When retired, Templars that have fully graduated from being Neophytes are granted a small pension, called a pittance, that allows most to live humble and unworried lives. They also enjoy a relatively high social status and despite its low position in the Templar Hierarchy, it is still a very desired position among Nozuans.

Neophytes

If a Nozuan citizen is considered sound of mind and body, they can enroll to be a Neophyte. This process is infamously grueling, and requires arms training, athletic tests, and overall endurance trials. Overseen by a Major Captain Templar, Neophytes are only eligible to graduate after 4 years of service. At any time, the Major Captain Templar can refuse applicants or unenroll them. Once their 4 year term has come to an end, a Neophyte has one year to get approval by two Captains to be promoted to Templar Regulars during a demonstration ceremony designed to test their capabilities. During this time, although often overlooked in terms of evaluation, Neophytes are taught the Yotunn myths, current laws, and orders from the Templar Commandant and are expected to know them by the time they are promoted. If a Nozuan citizen is denied enrollment, unenrolled, or fails their approvals they can reapply in one year following the expulsion. They are typically housed outside of city borders, in ramshack tents.
Neophytes must choose a companion among their classmates to demonstrate with, as Neophytes are only promoted in groups of two. Their partner is referred to as their Bound, and is informally considered responsible for their Bound throughout their tenure as Templars. Those whose Bound has died or retired are referred to informally as Boundless and are considered bound for the grave or early retirement themselves.

Shrinekeepers

A city will not be recognized without at least one Shrinekeeper, who assumes the position by whichever means the citizens of the city decide. The specific god is also decided upon by the city, but who they choose to be a Shrinekeeper usually dictates this choice. Shrinekeepers then report by letter to the High Priest who approves the foundation of the city. Shrinekeepers are otherwise mostly ignored within the Yotunna structure, and their local importance greatly depends on the chosen god, the charisma of the Shrinekeeper, and/or the zeal of its residents. Cities can have multiple Shrinekeepers as well, but considering the requirements of alms and sacrifice demanded on by Shrinekeepers this depends a lot on the economical strength of the city. Shrinekeepers can make requests of nearby Temples for Templar reinforcement in special circumstances as approved by the Temple's Templar General. They may also make requests of the nearest Temple's Exarch Priest to be promoted to Priest (often informally called Exile Priests, as they don't serve a Temple) to gain a minimum permanent residence of two Templars up to 55 total. This can sometimes cause problems because the new Templars are now financed by the city itself which can be expensive, and many Shrinekeepers move to larger cities to become Priests through the Acolyte process. In most cases, enforcement of Nozuan and Yotunna law happens through city levy.

Demonym

Yotunna, Devotees

Permeated Organizations

• Kingdom of Nozu